What are your media dilemmas?
What are the hot button media issues for parents and teachers at your school?
Media is everywhere, and it's being discussed everywhere. And it's no wonder, with headlines about celebrities lining every grocery aisle, stories about social networking in the news every week, and a never-ending stream of new titles and products coming at our kids from every direction.
So what are the parents and teachers in your community talking about? What are their concerns and questions? What do you think they should be concerned and asking about?
You have every right as a parent to help set up parameters and procedures at your child's school. If you have a PTA, you could take it that route. Make sure that when you go, you already have the solution in your hand to help push it along. How about creating a short form that would be sent home with students 2 to 3 days in advance of any movie being shown in class that has more than a "G" rating? Include on the form a place to write: name of movie, learning objectives, current rating of movie, and a place for parents to sign, and check a box saying yes or no. If the no box is checked, provide space for the parent to write in why they object to the movie. There are teachers with blinders on when it comes to movies that don't see why others would be uncomfortable with some movies being shown in their classrooms. As a teacher and parent, I understand where you are coming from.
I think that parents have a right to know what media the teachers will be using in class...
Mimi9496 wrote...
(the teachers) think by the time you are in high school you should be able to handle it. Well, this makes me a little uncomfortable. Any suggestions on how to approach this with teachers, and/or administrators?
Talk to the teacher and explain that you are concerned. While many high school students can and will make up their own minds, keeping parents informed about what is being watched is still a good idea. The idea is to promote discussion and critical thinking, not censorship. But you need to know what they are watching to know what to discuss. A good teacher will be happy to share this info with parents.
Check out the blog at www.superprodigy.com/parentscorner for more about childhood media use, educational television and games, reading, writing, and more.
In my daughter's middle school, a note comes home for any movie they will be watching, and the parent can decide if the content is not appropriate for their child.. but as I have learned this past year with my son, who just started high school, they don't send notes home. I learned that he has watched things that I would have not let him watch. I am not sure what to do about this, because as my son tells me, 'they' (the teachers) think by the time you are in high school you should be able to handle it. Well, this makes me a little uncomfortable. Any suggestions on how to approach this with teachers, and/or administrators? My daughter will be in high school in 2 yrs, and she is mild autistic, and I really will object if she is subjected to the movies that my son was shown in class. Thanks for any suggestions you can provide!
OMG this is soo funny!! we wathced Appolo 13 in science class, and there were ppl getting out of the shower(with towels) and swearing every second! you should have seen the teacher's faces!!! LOLZ! The kids were laughing tho!
A new teacher at our small school wanted to show the Stormbreaker movie. The class is made up of 9 and 10 year olds. I did not feel comfortable having my kid watch this at this age given the movie reviews rating it as having violence and recommending only 11+ to see it. When emailing with the teacher, we didn't feel the teacher's stated learning objectives required this movie. We only had one day notice to object, and we were the only parents to raise a concern. Then our kid was excluded from the class during the movie. What would other parents and teachers suggest to help this situation work better the next time?